Page:A History of the Knights of Malta, or the Order of St. John of Jerusalem.djvu/61

Rh Noureddin, relieved of the fears which the presence of so large a force had excited, and seeing he had nothing further to dread in the way of attack on his own territories, determined to carry the war once more into the enemy’s country, and, with this view, threatened the principality of Antioch. Baldwin, therefore, found himself once again under the necessity of advancing in that direction for the protection of his frontier. This was in the year 1152. During his absence two Turkish princes, bearing the name of the Jarroquins, penetrated by way of Damascus to Jerusalem. They actually arrived in presence of the city, which, at the moment, was in an utterly defence- less condition, all the disposable forces of the kingdom having accompanied Baldwin in his advance towards Antioch. The Turks pitched their camp for the night on the Mount of Olives, intending to force an entry into the place on the following morning. In this operation, under the peculiar circumstances of the case, they anticipated little or no difficulty.

A few Hospitallers had been left behind, who were to conduct the ordinary duties of the institution whilst their comrades were with the king, and it was to the promptitude and decision with which these few gallant knights acted in the crisis that the safety of Jerusalem was due. Gathering together such of the citizens as were capable of bearing arms, they made a sortie under cover of the night, and penetrated into the enemy’s camp. This they succeeded in setting on fire, and in the confusion which followed they completely overthrew the bewildered Turks. Vast numbers were put to the sword, and the remainder took to hasty flight. Baldwin, having received information of the danger which was threatening Jerusalem, was at the moment hurrying back to its rescue, and coming suddenly on the fugitives in the midst of their disorderly flight, he completed the rout, cutting them in pieces, and following up the pursuit with such vigour that those who escaped the swords of his army perished in the waters of Jordan. The king was not slow to recognize the great service thus rendered, and promptly admitted the claim of the Order of St. John to the merit of having saved the Holy City from falling into the hands of the enemy.

This great and unlocked-for success occurred at a moment